UNISA Yogyakarta Collaborates With PRI `Aisyiyah Malaysia to Prevent Stunting

In order to implement the Catur Dharma of Higher Education, the Nutrition Study Program, in collaboration with the Midwifery Study Program, Psychology Study Program and Nutrition Study Program of Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta held a Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (PKM) activity in Kampung Bharu Malaysia. The activity of Monitoring Child Growth and Development Patterns in the Pimpinan Ranting Istimewa ‘Aisyiyah (PRIA) area, Kampung Bharu Malaysia was chaired by Faurina Risca Fauzia (Nutrition Study Program), and Evi Wahyuntari (Midwifery Study Program) , Ratna Yunita Setiyani Subardjo (Psychology Study Program), and assisted by 3 students as a fellow. This activity was held by involving representatives of the Health Assembly mothers, parents, children, and also academics who are active in the activities of the ‘Aisyiyah association, which this activity can run smoothly with the support of the head of the Ranting Istimewa Aisyiyah.

The initiation of monitoring the growth and development of children who living in Wisma Sabarudin, Kuala Lumpur was motivated by the situation of living that close to a temporary garbage dump and the children’s unhealthy living habits, eating irregularly, and lack of proper attention from their parents. There are about 20 children who live in Wisma Sabarudin and everyday living on the streets, their parents work from morning until late at night, eat improvised food, improvised clothes, and lack of love/attention from the closest family. They often beg and approach people on the side of the city streets to get pity or a bite to eat.

This child development monitoring program consists of a series of activities from discussions and information sharing with parents of street children, holding cooking classes, stunting prevention exercises, emotional well-being assistance and counseling services. This first activity was carried out in a hybrid way, using a zoom meeting and followed by measuring the weight and height of children on Tuesday, September 19 last month in Malaysia. Based on information from the chairperson of the Ranting Istimewa ‘Aisyiyah Malaysia, Mrs. Silmi, who was conveyed through the zoom meeting, she participated accompany on this activity and gave a very extraordinary speech and appreciation for the realization of the program to monitor the health and growth of children in Wiswa Sabarudin, which is a sincere intention to initiate the realization of healthy and stunting-free children.